Final NCAA Division II rankings

In
a game fitting for the crowning of a champion, Southern Indiana
defeated Colorado Mesa to capture its second national title in five
years. It was tight contest throughout, with neither club gaining an
advantage of more than a single run. The Screaming Eagles earned a
quick advantage in the top of the first, but the deficit was soon
erased by the country’s top-hitting club as the Mavs scored two to
take the lead in the bottom of the third. After that it was nearly
all zeroes on the board as pitchers from both clubs kept the scoring
to a minimum. Nevertheless, USI was able to manufacture a run late
to tie the game and send it into extra innings to keep their
diminishing title hopes alive.
The
late innings belonged to finals MVP Matt Chavarria who came in to
pitch in the ninth inning after starting the game at shortstop.
Chavarria was able to keep the Mavs scoreless for the rest of the
game, escaping multiple jams and keeping CMU from earning a walk-off
win. He also went 3-5 at the plate and earned an RBI and stolen base
in the decisive title game.
The
game was decided in the top of the 12th when USI was able
to plate a run after their leadoff hitter reached base via a
hit-by-pitch. The advantageous Eagles were able to fill the bases
and score the eventual winning run on a bases loaded walk.
It
was a well-earned title for Southern Indiana who game into the
postseason as one of the hottest teams in the nation. The GLVC
stalwarts finished the regular season going 25-2 and grinded their
way through the Midwest Regional to earn their third trip to the D-II
National Championship Series since 2007 under Coach Tracy Archuleta.
While in Cary the “Screagles” defeated the top four teams in the
country to win the title. The Eagles also showed incredible moxie in
their semifinal contest against Minnesota State as they were able to
rally from a three run deficit against one of the nation’s top
pitchers.
It
was an especially disappointing finish in Cary for the defending
champion Tampa Spartans who had their historic season come to a
premature close. After establishing a new season record for winning
percentage the Spartans were unquestionably the team to beat. After
losing their opening game to USI, Tampa was able to string three wins
together to put themselves back into contention for another title
game, but UT was usurped when Colorado Mesa tallied runs in each of
the final three innings to get eliminated. The final run which
extinguished Tampa’s title hopes was scored when an ill advised
tag-up from third by a Maverick runner turned fortuitous after the
ball was dropped on a shallow throw fly from left field.